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Monday, 16 May 2011

Woeful

That's what Sunday's performance was - woeful.

The players put in a poor, lacklustre performance and it was shown in the result. Despite the refereeing decisions that may have gone against us (I don't know what we should have had as I haven't watched the game again since getting back from the Emirates) we didn't deserve to win the game. We didn't even look like scoring when we got inside the box, we didn't even look like scoring.

We were sloppy in defence, too - the goals we conceded were just shocking from our point of view. Simple balls split our defence in half, and Bent had the easiest job in the world.

It's weird, because that was a very similar team to the one that beat Man United at the Emirates just two weeks ago. And it wasn't like there was nothing to play for - Chelsea had just slipped up and we had a chance for second, with City breathing down our necks for third.It was the final home game of the season, it was the last chance for the players to apologise for their previous failures. Interviews and tweets are all very good, but the real way to show that you're sorry is by going out on the pitch and playing your heart out. Only two or three players did that for me.

It's worrying that the players couldn't get motivated for a game like they did on Sunday. They should have absolutely no trouble doing so, but if they can't then it's the manager's job to do it for them, and he didn't seem to do so.

Having said all that, the fans getting on the team's back wouldn't have helped one bit. I completely disagree with booing, granted you want to make your feelings heard, but it's only going to make the players play worse. We should be getting behind the team no matter what in my opinion.

I would be surprised if a marquee player, like Arshavin, wasn't signed to appease the fans during summer. Perhaps Benzema or somebody like that. I can see Wenger breaking the bank, and our record fee, this summer. There are definitely changes coming.

I don't think I saw Almunia in the lap of honour, so he's gone. Rosicky wasn't even in the squad and I'm sure he's available so he's gone. Denilson was in the squad for the first time since West Brom so he's gone. I'm sure a few others will make way too, then we'll need some additions to the first team and more back-up players.